Also known as: The Meat Corporation of Namibia · The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) · Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) · Meatco NCA · State-owned meat processor · Meatco Namibia
Meat Corporation of Namibia — beef processor and exporter operating export abattoirs, winding down Katima Mulilo operations by June 2026.
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January 2026
New Era
Meatcofulfilled and deliveredentire 1,200-tonne quota for Norwegian beef
Source
“Late last year, Meatco successfully fulfilled and delivered the entire 1 200-tonne quota for Norwegian beef, marking yet another milestone for the organisation on the global stage.”
Meatcodecided to rejectleasing of its facilities to a private-led initiative that competes directly with the corporation
Source
“Meatco's decision to reject the leasing of its facilities to a private-led initiative that competes directly with the corporation was a strategic move to protect its operations and the interests of the farmers it serves.”
Meatcoperennially relies ongovernment for bailouts
Source
“Companies like Namibia Wildlife Resorts, Meatco or Telecom, which operate in otherwise traditionally profitable sectors, perennially rely on the government for bailouts.”
Meatcorecordedincreased cattle numbers through Windhoek abattoir
Source
“On Friday, we published an article about Meatco recording increased cattle numbers coming through the Windhoek abattoir resulting in good performances which generated between N$1207 million and N$290 million in revenue in May and June, respectively.”
Meatco is winding down operations at its Katima Mulilo abattoir following the expiry of its operational agreement with the Zambezi Meat Corporation, a decision that has triggered concern among communal farmers who relied on the facility for market access and employment.
Meatco is winding down operations at its Katima Mulilo abattoir following the expiry of its operational agreement with the Zambezi Meat Corporation, a decision that has triggered concern among communal farmers who relied on the facility for market access and employment.
Meatco's operational agreement with Zambezi Meat Corporation expires on 15 April 2026, prompting the company to wind down operations at the Katima Mulilo abattoir. The transition period runs from 16 April to 30 June 2026, during which Meatco will scale down operations in a controlled manner while honouring obligations to local producers and suppliers.
Meatco has announced a structured exit from Katima Mulilo Abattoir operations following the contractual expiry of its Memorandum of Agreement with Zambezi Meat Corporation on 15 April 2026. The company will implement a transitional plan from mid-April to 30 June 2026, during which it will progressively scale down operations including inventory verification and gradual reduction of stock levels.
Meatco employees presented a petition demanding salary increases, citing delayed wage proposals and company profitability, and threatening indefinite industrial action if demands are ignored. The petition also raises concerns about board leadership, executive spending, and alleged conflicts of interest.
Savanna Beef Processors, recently granted an export certificate, will send its first beef consignment to the United Kingdom, EU, and EFTA countries through Walvis Bay at the end of April, exporting matured deboned chilled/frozen beef cuts. The producer-owned facility aims to add value to Namibian livestock production and retain weaners domestically rather than see them exported live to South African feedlots.
The Meat Corporation of Namibia has begun processing Wagyu cattle for export to premium global markets, including high-end restaurants in Europe. The move aims to position Namibian beef producers in high-value segments through advanced quality assurance, traceability systems, and compliance with international standards.
Meatco has begun slaughtering and processing Wagyu cattle at its facilities, strengthening Namibia's position in premium global beef markets. The company is also in talks with the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa to finance turnaround projects including revival of small stock and cannery operations.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah answered questions from opposition MPs on the Welwitschia Sovereign Wealth Fund, land delivery, Germany's genocide reparations deal, the veterinary cordon fence, and various economic and governance matters during parliament on Wednesday.
Meatco has hosted first-year students from NUST's Bachelor of Procurement and Supply Chain Management programme for a research visit to gain practical experience in livestock and agro-processing operations. The initiative, which included interaction with Meatco's Marketing, Logistics, and Value Addition teams, is part of efforts to develop skilled professionals for Namibia's agricultural sector.
Meatco's export abattoir has retained an A+ equivalent grade under the Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards (BRCGS) certification system, one of the world's most widely recognised food safety programmes. The accreditation is essential for Meatco to maintain access to premium international markets and strengthens Namibia's reputation as a trusted supplier of premium beef.
Namibia's Meteorological Services reported the driest January since 1981, with uneven rainfall posing risks to livestock and crop production. The article urges farmers to take early action—such as selling vulnerable animals and securing irrigation—and calls on policymakers to support export abattoirs, subsidize irrigation systems, and strengthen border security against foot-and-mouth disease.
The Meat Corporation of Namibia earned 84% of its beef revenue from international markets in 2024/25, with 80% of that coming from the European Union, 18% from Norway, and 2% from China. Despite a slight decline in realisation prices, the company managed to secure decent prices across international and regional markets, reporting N$1.514 billion in direct sales from its Windhoek factory.
Namibia is expanding beef and lamb exports to the UAE and Qatar, with three major export abattoirs operating halaal-certified facilities that comply with Islamic dietary laws. Halaal compliance involves strict slaughter practices, separate storage from non-halaal items, and daily monitoring to ensure meat is permissible under Islamic law.
An opinion piece argues that Namibia's proposed Investment Promotion and Facilitation Bill should treat the red meat industry as strategic, enabling value addition, rural development, and coordination with domestic enterprises like Meatco through performance agreements and joint venture requirements.
Meatco operates fully Halaal-certified abattoirs and undergoes rigorous annual audits by the Muslim Judicial Council Halaal Trust and South African National Halaal Authority to ensure compliance with Islamic dietary laws and international best practices in processing and handling.
The government has settled close to N$30 million owed to farmers who supplied livestock and meat products during the 2024/25 Drought Relief Programme, with Meatco's interim CEO describing the move as a confidence-building measure for the red meat value chain and part of efforts to restore trust with producers and stakeholders.
Meatco's Northern Communal Area subsidiary has created 62 permanent jobs at the Katima Mulilo abattoir and invested over N$2.7 million in the Zambezi region between 2022 and 2025, supporting communal farmers through improved marketing infrastructure, training, and during the 2024/25 drought, delivering 272,000 relief meat packs to affected households.
The Meat Corporation of Namibia says the Office of the Prime Minister owes N$28.1 million to livestock producers who supplied animals under last year's drought relief programme, with the delays affecting producers' confidence in timely settlement. Meatco also reports that a Cabinet-approved N$100 million Equalisation Fund to narrow price gaps for communal and commercial farmers has not yet been allocated to the company to administer.
Jan Zandbergen Group, a major European meat importer and Meatco's largest trade partner in the Netherlands, visited Namibia to inspect grass and grain-fed cattle. The partnership underscores growing demand for Namibian beef in European markets, with about 46% of the country's beef exported to the EU and Meatco generating over N$563.8 million in international sales in the 2024 fiscal year.
Diethelm and Katja Metzger's Kamab Simbra Stud, the second-largest Simbra herd in southern Africa, breeds cattle by combining Simmentaler and Brahman genetics to produce animals adapted to extensive conditions and optimised for commercial beef production. The stud of 447 cows produces about 370 weaners annually, emphasising fertility and adaptability as key traits for farmers across the region.
Meatco, Namibia's largest meat processing entity, has set a slaughter target of 63,000 cattle for 2026 after falling far short of its 70,000-head goal in 2025 due to disease outbreaks and favourable rainfall that encouraged farmers to retain stock. The interim CEO stated that achieving these volumes is critical to covering operating costs and returning the business to profitability.